Women of
Courage – Martha and Mary
Preference
of others over self
Priority of
worship over service
Primacy of
faith over works
Around pg.
163 of MacArthur’s text - Jesus admonished Martha in this study. It would do us
well to examine these admonishments. What are our priorities?
Question 1 –
How are Martha and Mary similar or different?
They were
sisters, both loved Jesus and their brother. They had a growing and learning relationship
with Jesus. One was focused on the
temporal and was focused on the eternal, but both were sincere in their desire
to do what was right. Martha may have
been impulsive and Mary may have been patient and contemplative. They were both mutually beloved and cherished
by Jesus and others. At Lazarus’s death
both sisters were comfortable enough with the Lord to question him. Martha was practical and serviceable. Mary
was unfeigned with open emotions. Martha
served and Mary worshipped.
Luke 10:38 Now
as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha
welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at
the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with
much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my
sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord
answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not
be taken away from her.”
We all have had the attitude that Martha had during this
brief moment in her life. She was
focused on judging the moment. There are
a lot of Marthas that find it difficult to be Marys. Anything we do for the
Lord is a gift from Him.
#2 describe the family of these two women
It seemed that there were only the three of them in the
household. Martha may have been the
oldest and therefore felt responsible. Was Lazarus unhealthy during his
life? They had close ties to their
friends and they all loved Jesus. They
may have lost their parents earlier.
There is no mention of them being away from Bethany or away from their
home.
Luke 8- Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming
and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
2 and also some women
who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from
whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household
manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them[a] out of their means.
There were women
that traveled with Jesus and traveled because they had the means (finances) to
do this. Since many traveled with Jesus,
perhaps Mary was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people she was
serving. But, others sat at Jesus’s
feet and worshipped him. Some people
feel that it is a burden to be within the kitchen, but God desires us to find
worship at his feet no matter where we are.
#3. What reasons might Mary have had for anointing
Jesus feet with the spikenard?
John 11:53- John 12:8, Mark
14 3-9
She anointed both his head and his feet. It was a costly ointment and many were upset
with her “wasting it” instead of using in upon Jesus. Jesus knew his time would be short, he had
told them all. Nard comes from a plant with spikes. It is a highly prized ointment. The Jews anointed the head and feet of those
they held in high honor. It was a joyful
part of life.
The woman in Luke 7:36-50 is a different woman. Her ointment was not the expensive nard that
Mary had used. Simon in this account
doesn’t give Jesus the honor he is due, but the woman does.
Mary highly honored, respected and loved the Lord. She let Jesus know her honor of him. Have we poured out our love, honor and
respect for our Lord as well? Most likely
all of the family members knew what she would do with this spikenard.
With all our
worship, there is also opposition. Keep our eyes on the Lord.
What did
Mary’s action represent from Jesus point of view? His death is coming. He understood her worship and honored and
defended her actions.
His word in Matthew 26:13 says it all,
13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”
